Safety book match



March 28, 1 939. E ANCKER 2,151,675

SAFETY BOOK MATCH Filed Dec. 1, 1937 ATTORNEYS Patented M... 28, 1939i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEv i 2,151,875 f I l SAFETY Booxmrrcn Enock Ancker, Albuquerque, N. Mex.

Application December 1, 1937, Serial No. 177,567

4Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in safety matches generally, but more particularly those safety matches which are produced in book form.

It is well known that one of the dangers in the use of the common flap-opening type of book match is the ever present possibility of accidentally bringing'an ignited match into close proximity to the remainder of the strip of matches 10 thereby igniting the same and frequently causing painful burns to the hands of the holder thereof.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a match book in which the ends of the protecting cover are permanently secured to I the bas of the match strip whereby the strip matches are retained within the cover and are constantly shielded from contact with the flame from a freshly ignited match.

Another object of my invention is to provide a match package of the above character in which the cover is of sufficient length that access to the matches on the inside thereof is easily gained and in which said cover is adapted to be folded after use to fit more closely about the matches 25 therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide a match package of the above character in which advertising or other printed matter is located on the portion of the cover which is folded and thereby will be hidden until said cover is unfolded to allow access to the matches therein.

With these and other objects in view which will more fully appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by following the description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a match book 4.0 constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged right end view thereof,

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the bookshowing the cover in its expanded position, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged right end view thereof.

Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the l0, it which are permanently secured to the base 5 by the usual staple fastener II. The front wall 8 of the cover is provided with a pair of spaced parallel transverse scores I2, I! whereby a pleat I3 is formed therein effecting a contrac- 5 tion of the cover B aboutthe match strip A and making a normally compact book. The outer face of the pleat is provided with a matchstriking surface I4. The cover B is of sufllcient length to permit the insertion of the thumb and finger 10 of the user between the cover and the opposite faces of the match strip whereby a single match 6 may be separated from the base 5 and with-' drawn from the cover while the remaining matches are retained completely within the cover. In expanding the cover B the pleat I3 is unfolded, thereby effecting an increase in the length of the'cover. The inner face l5 of the pleat l3 and the adjoining portion l6 of the front wall 8 are conjointly provided with printed matter which is normally obscured by the pleat but which becomes visible immediately upon expanding the cover which is accomplished by pulling outwardly and upwardly on the front wall 8 and at the same time holding the package at the base thereof.

To again contract the cover about the match strip it is necessary only to exert a downward and inward pressure upon a point on the upper surface of the cover as at ll and the pleat will reform naturally thereby effecting the contraction and the printed matter on the areas it and it will again be obscured.

It is of course to be understood that the details of structure and arrangement of parts may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a match book, the combination of a match strip including a base and a plurality of match to splints, and a cover folded around said match strip and having its ends permanently secured to the base of said strip, the cover having a length sufficient to permit the insertion of the thumb and finger of the user between the cover and the opposite faces of the match strip whereby a single matchmay be separated from the base and withdrawn from the cover while the remaining matches are retained within the cover, said cover including front and rear Walls, one of said walls being scored transversely at spaced points to form a resultant upwardly projecting pleat and effecting a-contraction of the cover about the said match strip.

2. In a match book, the combination of a match strip including a base and a plurality of-match splints, and a cover folded around said match strip and having its ends permanently secured to the base of said strip, the cover having a length suflicient to permit the insertion of the thumb and finger of the user between the cover and the opposite faces of the match strip whereby a single match may be separated from the base and withdrawn from the cover while the remaining matches are retained within the cover, said cover including front and rear walls, one of said walls being scored transversely at spaced points to form 'a resultant upwardly projecting pleat thereby effecting a contraction of the cover about the said match strip, the outer face of said pleat being provided with a match striking surface.

3. In a match book, the combination of a match strip including a base and a plurality of match splints, and a cover folded around said match strip and having its ends permanently secured to the base of said strip, the cover having a length sufllcient to permit the insertion of the thumb and finger of the user between the cover and the opposite faces of the match strip whereby a single match may be separated from the base and withdrawn from the cover while the remaining matches are retained within the cover, said cover including front and rear walls, one of said walls being scored transversely at spaced points to form a resultant upwardly projecting pleat thereby effecting a contraction of the cover about the said match strip, the inner face of the pleat and the adjacent portion of the wall being conjointly provided with printed matter which is normally obscured by the pleat but which becomes visible immediately upon expanding said cover.

4. In a match book, a match strip including a base and splints, and a continuous cover extending from the base over the splints and back to the base and secured thereto, said cover being of suflicient length to permit the insertion of the thumb and finger of the user between the cover and the opposite faces of the match strip, and having a pleat formed in one side to effect a contraction of the cover about the said match strip.

ENOCK AN CKER. 

